Is It Safe To Use Hair Removal Creams During Pregnancy?

Pregnant ladies don’t have to do much to look beautiful during pregnancy - They’ve got that glow. But the increasing tummy size and the various physical changes that come as part of pregnancy can dampen one’s self-esteem. A beauty routine that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin is essential to step out of your house with your head and your belly held high. And hair removal forms an important part of any beauty routine. Just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean you stop taking care of yourself or that you’d prefer hairy arms and legs over smooth, soft skin. But is your trusted hair removal cream safe to be used when you are pregnant?

Will My Body Hair Get Out Of Control During Pregnancy?

It is common for pregnant women to see the growth of thick and long hair in places that were hair-free before. This hair growth can be attributed to increase in blood flow, metabolism and the hormonal changes during pregnancy. But don’t worry mommies, all this excess hair will disappear after your body’s hormonal levels start going back to the usual - This is usually within the first 6 months after you give birth.

Do I Use A Hair Removal Cream to Get Rid Of This Hair?

Hair removal creams and gels contain barium sulfide powder and calcium thioglycolate as the active ingredients which are responsible for affecting the protein structure (also called as keratin) of your hair. The dissolved hair can then be wiped off from the surface of your skin. Because these hair removal creams are full of chemicals, a lot of pregnant mommies worry about using them during pregnancy.

Although many pregnant women swear by using hair removal creams and not experiencing any side effects, it’s best you stay away from them.

The ingredients that are present in hair removal creams could irritate your already sensitive skin during pregnancy and not to mention the horrible stench that could likely trigger an allergic reaction. Some experts say that you also run a risk of the cream being soaked into your skin and harming your baby but there haven’t been enough studies to prove this.

What Is The Best Hair Removal Method During Pregnancy?

Waxing

If you think a little pain (or a lot of pain) is worth having your skin smooth and hair-free for weeks on end, then you can go for waxing. But make sure to not apply the wax over chapped skin, on moles and on parts of skin that are covered with varicose veins. Although waxing is completely safe, because of your sensitive nerve endings you might experience more pain than usual.

Also, go for a wax that is done by professionals rather than a DIY at home. Ask them for a test patch and if you’re sure that the pain is bearable, you can proceed further.

Shaving

Pain-free and super easy, shaving will continue to remain your friend even during pregnancy. Yes, those little nicks and cuts are hard to avoid but if you apply a thick layer of shaving cream or gel then you can get the job done easily. Also it’s better to shave while sitting down rather than standing up because your balance may be a little wobbly because of your belly.

Speaking of belly - as it grows bigger, it will become harder for you to shave your legs and your private parts so a better option would be waxing in this case.

And it’s not just for your arms and legs that shaving is an effective hair removal technique, you can use it to get rid of facial hair too. While we’re at it - No, shaving doesn’t make your hair grow thicker and longer. That’s just a myth. So don’t be afraid to grab that razor.

Tweezing

Tweezing is perfect for those stubborn chin hairs or thick eyebrows. If you are looking for a more polished look then threading can also be done. While you can tweeze at home, threading requires a more professional touch. These techniques are perfectly safe as they don’t involve any chemicals or medical procedures.

But if you do decide to use hair removal creams, here are a few things to keep in mind:

- Always do a patch test on a small area of your skin even if you have used the cream before getting pregnant. This way, if you see any sort of redness or irritation, you know it’s not meant for you.

- Read the instructions carefully before you proceed onto using the cream on your body.

- Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area instead of a closed bathroom because the smell of these creams can surround you and make you feel queasy or uncomfortable.

- DO NOT keep this cream on your skin for even a minute longer than what is mentioned in the instructions. In fact, it’s better to aim for the bottom time in the range rather than the maximum. For example, if it says to keep the cream on your skin for 10 - 15 minutes, then go for 10 minutes. Use a timer on your phone if necessary.